East Haven Mayor Appears Blind To Racism

East Haven was rocked — again — Tuesday when four local police officers were arrested by the FBI on federal charges of violating residents' civil rights, with Latinos, especially, subject to alleged harassment.

The indictment said the four conspired to threaten and intimidate citizens, fellow police, police commissioners and others who sought to report or investigate their alleged misconduct. An FBI official said the four defendants "behaved like bullies with badges."

This is not East Haven's first turn in the racial-profiling spotlight.

In 1997, East Haven Police Sgt. Robert Flodquist shot and killed Malik Jones, a black man, after a police chase. In 2003, a jury awarded Mr. Jones' family $2.5 million, finding that Mr. Flodquist used excessive force. The award was later reduced to $900,000.

After the 2003 verdict, East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo said he was "actually floored and speechless when I heard the ruling. My jaw just dropped." He said his town wasn't racist.

Tuesday, after the arrests of the four cops, Mayor Maturo said in interviews: "I don't believe these charges at all" and "My heart goes out to those officers" and "I stand behind the officers."